0
8,846  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 36  ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAY NEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Latest
Price Low
Price High
sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA834750
FOR SALE
£1,100
Email
Save
Pair of Tall Late C18th / Early C19th Italian Venetian-style Gilt-wood and Silvered ‘Mecca’ Altar-type Candlesticks.
M Lees and Sons
for sale €1,287     $1,397
£1,100
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218
  • Trade Associations
    M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA
Relevant Links
Id #SA834750
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Pair of Tall Late C18th / Early C19th Italian Venetian-style Gilt-wood and Silvered ‘Mecca’ Altar-type Candlesticks.

19th century
For Sale by M Lees and Sons
Description

Pair of tall late C18th / early C19th Italian Venetian-style carved gilt-wood and silvered ‘mecca’ altar-type candlesticks.

Highly decorative pair of ‘gilded’ and partially silver-lacquered or ‘mecca’ , candlesticks with leaf-carved columns , raised on triform bases with carved scroll feet.

The process of Mecca gilding was a technique where silver-leaf was applied to the wooden base and then coated with a layer of golden varnish or shellac to imitate gold leaf , as the gold was obviously a much more expensive option. This creates a most attractive and mellow finish and patina.

Of good large scale with atmospheric wear and losses commensurate with age , use and purpose. Minor chips and splits .

H 32”

W 5”

D 5”

Italy c.1800

Physical Dimensions
Height
80cm (31.50")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Declaration

M Lees and Sons has dated these Italian Giltwood Altar Candlesticks to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA834750
Dealers Internal Reference
ML 219
Dealers Notes

Established in the Cathedral City of Worcester for over 40 years ,M.Lees&Sons , run by Michael Lees ,have been dealing with public and trade from show-rooms in an early Georgian town-house. We aim to provide a straight-forward approach to our business and build lasting relationships with our customers. As members of the 'London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association' , we provide full descriptive details , date ,authenticity and any available provenance ,with full disclosure of any restoration or repair which may have taken place .

Whether buying for pleasure , decoration or investment, we welcome you to our web-site or premises .

Past projects have included advising clients on forming and disposing of collections , furnishing period properties , hotel and commercial projects , also a shoot-room and lodge .

All goods are available to view and owned by M.Lees & Sons .

If visiting, a telephone call prior is advisable as due to the demands of the business the show-room does not have regular hours . Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance . Our inventory on the website Selling Antiques .co.uk showcases our range of stock, whilst more items are available to view on our website. Please visit us on:

www.leesantiquesworcester.com.

Tel. 01905 26620 / 07860826218

Located in the centre of Worcester in the shadow of the Cathedral with easy parking nearby. Exit Junction 7 M5 and follow the signs for Worcester Porcelain Museum . Our premises are located 100 metres from the Museum and 50 metres from Pay&Display car-park in nearby King St.

Description
Pair of tall late C18th / early C19th Italian Venetian-style carved gilt-wood and silvered ‘mecca’ altar-type candlesticks.
“
Highly decorative pair of ‘gilded’ and partially silver-lacquered or ‘mecca’ , candlesticks with leaf-carved columns , raised on triform bases with carved scroll feet.
M Lees and Sons
fig 1. A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish.
fig 1. Pair of Tall Late C18th / Early C19th Italian Venetian-style Gilt-wood and Silvered ‘Mecca’ Altar-type Candlesticks.

The process of Mecca gilding was a technique where silver-leaf was applied to the wooden base and then coated with a layer of golden varnish or shellac to imitate gold leaf , as the gold was obviously a much more expensive option. This creates a most attractive and mellow finish and patina.

Of good large scale with atmospheric wear and losses commensurate with age , use and purpose. Minor chips and splits .

H 32”

W 5”

D 5”

Italy c.1800

Height
80cm (31.50")
Width
12cm (4.72")
Depth
12cm (4.72")
Date of Manufacture

M Lees and Sons has dated these Italian Giltwood Altar Candlesticks to the 1800s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA834750
Dealers Internal Ref
ML 219
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2013

M.lees & sons , 'tower house' , severn st., worcester wr12nb tel . 07860826218

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Lees and Sons Profile Page

Trade Associations

M Lees and Sons is a registered member of LAPADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish.
1 / 22
Archive I A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish.

Pair of Tall Late C18th / Early C19th Italian Venetian-style Gilt-wood and Silvered ‘Mecca’ Altar-type Candlesticks.

Archive II A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View II
Archive III A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View III
Archive IV A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View IV
Archive V A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View V
Archive VI A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View VI
Archive VII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View IX
Archive X A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View X
Archive XI A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XI
Archive XII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XIII
Archive XIV A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XIV
Archive XV A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XV
Archive XVI A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XVI
Archive XVII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XVII
Archive XVIII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XVIII
Archive XIX A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XIX
Archive XX A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XX
Archive XXI A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XXI
Archive XXII A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish. View XXII
Enlarged Archival View
M Lees and Sons

M Lees and Sons
Telephone 07860 826218 or 01905 26620
Location
Tower House
1 Castle Place
Severn St
Worcester
WR1 2NB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified Since Feb 2013
Items For Sale 350
Items Sold 1,589
M Lees and Sons
M Lees and Sons
Verified Since Feb 2013
View Dealer Info
Location: Tower House, 1 Castle Place, Severn St, Worcester, WR1 2NB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mleesandsons
Verified
Feb 2013
For Sale
350
Sold
1,589
A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish.
Pair of tall late C18th / early C19th Italian Venetian-style gilt-wood and silvered ‘mecca’ altar-type candlesticks.
Ref: SA834750
A pair of tall late eighteenth-century Italian carved giltwood altar candlesticks with turned baluster stems and mecca finish.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Detail View 11
Detail View 12
Detail View 13
Detail View 14
Detail View 15
Detail View 16
Detail View 17
Detail View 18
Detail View 19
Detail View 20
Detail View 21
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

Originating in northern Italy during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, mecca giltwood altar candlesticks were produced primarily for Catholic churches and private chapels. The mecca technique involved applying a yellow-tinted resin lacquer over silver leaf on carved timber, providing the opulent appearance of gold leaf at a lower cost.

These candlesticks were carved from lightweight softwoods, coated in gesso plaster, and burnished with leafing. A specialist varnish made from natural resins, saffron, or dragons blood was then applied over silver leaf to create a warm, gilded finish.

Authentic period examples exhibit hand-carved joinery, iron pricket spikes at the candle pan, and visible layers of gesso beneath rubbed gilding. The silver leaf under layer often reveals characteristic tarnishing or oxidisation where the top mecca lacquer layer has worn down.

Tall carved candlesticks are frequently styled in pairs on large sideboards, credenzas, or wide mantlepieces to add vertical scale. Their distressed textured surface provides architectural contrast against modern painted walls or clean-lined minimalist joinery.

Giltwood finishes require delicate preservation using a soft, dry camel-hair brush to remove dust. Water, chemical solvents, and commercial polish must be avoided, as moisture dissolves gesso and strips delicate historical lacquer layers.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories